The announcement was made at the 2018 évolution Conference – énergie's annual franchisee event, which was attended by 600 members of the company's network.

King, the former MD of 1Life, joined énergie in January this year as chief operating officer, to support the business as it gears up for sale.

The new appointment completes a top team reorganisation, which sees Jan Spaticchia, the chair and founder of énergie Group, taking up a high-level strategic role as executive chair, focusing on group direction and expansion.

Liz Terry, editor of Health Club Management, interviewed Spaticchia on stage during évolution, exploring plans for the future of the business.

"Having Neil King strengthening the focus on operations, productivity and club performance, will allow me to concentrate on building company growth and extending our international footprint," Spaticchia told Terry.

He added that the company is growing rapidly – and developing its boutique club-in-club concept, thé YARD – and will continue to "play to its strengths".

"One of the key lessons we've learned in our 15 years in business is to remain focused on what we're good at – which is franchising world-class fitness concepts – and avoiding straying into areas that dilute our mission," he said.

"Our aim is to sit above competitors in the health club market and own the 'high-service, low-cost' space," he explained.

King outlined the scope of his new role to delegates at the conference, which was held at Coventry's Ricoh Stadium, saying: "Over the coming year, my key areas of focus will be landing the new énergie Fitness brand, differentiating our product in the marketplace and sustaining a simple and replicable franchise model that delivers a great customer experience.”

"I'll also be working with franchisees to focus on the development of our 2019 digital marketing strategy.

"This strategy, alongside the introduction of a balance scorecard approach to measuring success, will see the introduction of mystery shopper and NPS programmes.

"These initiatives are designed to deliver growth, quality and consistency across the network."

To read an interview with Jan Spaticchia (conducted last year), in which he outlines plans for the business as it gears up for a sale, click here.

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